Sony: Grand Theft Auto V PS3 Can’t be Pre-Loaded in North America

Well, it hasn’t been the smoothest of pre-launches for Grand Theft Auto V on the PSN as Rockstar previously tweeted that “those who’ve pre-ordered GTAV on PSN will be able to preload the game as follows: Sunday 3PM BST in Europe, Monday 3AM EST [12AM PST] in the US”, but it looks like they were wrong.

Unfortunately, pre-loads for North America never actually happened this morning, prompting Morgan Haro to post this following statement on the PS Blog explaining the situation:

Hey guys,

From our end, SCEA has never announced anything regarding any pre-loading functionality. This is functionality that has been used at rare times in EU, however there are a number of factors that we need to consider before using it.

The pre-order functionality on the PS Store works the same as it always has. You guys know that GTA V is far from the first title we’ve ever had on pre-order, but unfortunately there was some mis-information out there that stated we can set up pre-loading. We can not at this time.

I do apologize for seeing the misinformation out there which seems to have started just last Friday.The internet can be a funny place and mis-information can spread like wildfire, but I’m afraid that any element of pre-loading as a reason to pre-order has never been pointed to by SCEA, as cool as it would be.

Guys, the game will drop at midnight tonight, and yes it will take a bit o ‘ time to download; but that’s par for the course in the digital space ^__^. You’re going to have a great game in your hands soon, so look forward to the good times that await!

Then, Kristine Steimer gave a simplified version of the statement:

There was some miscommunication this weekend — there is no pre-loading function on the North American store at this time. However, you will be able to start downloading GTA V at 12 am EST.

How do you think the lack of pre-loads will affect the midnight PSN launch? Let us know in the comments below.

 

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Sony apologizes to Rockstar for ‘Grand Theft Auto 5’ leaks

Sony has apologized to Rockstar and GTA fans after copies of Grand Theft Auto 5 downloaded from the EU PlayStation Store were cracked open by hackers.

The firm has since suspended the ability to preload the title ahead of its launch after story spoilers and a tracklisting of all the game’s music leaked online.

© Rockstar Games

‘Grand Theft Auto 5’ screenshot

The full game is not playable, but details were taken from audio files by partially cracking Grand Theft Auto 5‘s encryption.

“Regrettably, some people who downloaded the digital pre-order of Grand Theft Auto 5 through the PlayStation Store in Europe were able to access certain GTA 5 assets,” Sony Europe exec Nick Caplin said in a statement.

“These assets were posted online. We have since removed the digital pre-order file from the PlayStation Store in Europe. We sincerely apologize to Rockstar and GTA fans across the world who were exposed to the spoiler content.

“GTA 5 is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year with a very passionate following, and we’re looking forward to a historic launch on September 17.”

Videos of the hacked assets are now being pulled from YouTube, while Rockstar has asked GTAForums to remove details of the leaks.

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‘Grand Theft Auto 5’ Achievements list leaks online?

Grand Theft Auto 5‘s full list of achievements has purportedly leaked online.

Xbox360Achievements published the information, claiming that the game will feature 49 achievements for a total of 1,000 points.

There were also 11 secret achievements listed, but specific details of what these entail were not divulged.

GTA 5 has been predicted to be the fastest selling game in UK history, as Rockstar prepares a huge allocation of copies for launch.

The game has been increasingly rumored for a PC version by the end of the year, while Rockstar has confirmed that DLC will be region locked.

Details of the game’s standalone multiplayer – Grand Theft Auto Online – were revealed last week, confirming that up to 16 players can take part in new co-operative heists and competitive activity sports like tennis and golf and traditional deathmatches.

Grand Theft Auto 5 will arrive on Xbox 360 and PS3 on September 17.

Grand Theft Auto 5 achievements in full:

Solid Gold, Baby! (50 points) – Earn 70 Gold Medals on Missions and Strangers and Freaks.
Career Criminal (100 points) – Attain 100% Game Completion.
San Andreas Sightseer (30 points) – Explore all of Los Santos and Blaine County.
All’s Fare in Love and War (10 points) – Purchase Downtown Cab Co. and complete a private fare.
TP Industries Arms Race (10 points) – Purchase McKenzie Field Hangar and win the arms race.
Multi-Disciplined (30 points) – Attain a gold medal in all applicable hobbies and pastimes.
From Beyond the Stars (15 points) – Collect and return all spaceship parts.
A Mystery, Solved (15 points) – Solve the mystery of Leonora Johnson.
Waste Management (15 points) – Purchase the old dock and collect all nuclear waste.
Red Mist (20 points) – Complete all Rampages.
Show Off (30 points) – Complete all Stunt Jumps.
Kifflom! (30 points) – Complete your path to enlightenment… or not.
Three Man Army (20 points) – Survive 3 minutes on at least a 3 star Wanted Level with all three characters together off mission.
Out of Your Depth (5 points) – You’re gonna need a bigger boat…
Altruist Acolyte (5 points) – Deliver an unsuspecting victim to the Altruist Cult.
A Lot of Cheddar (20 points) – Spend a total of $200 million across all three characters.
Trading Pure Alpha (10 points) – Make a profit over your total investments in the stock market.
Pimp My Sidearm (10 points) – Fully mod a weapon.
Wanted: Alive Or Alive (10 points) – Deliver a bail bond target alive.
Los Santos Customs (10 points) – Fully mod a vehicle.
Close Shave (20 points) – Complete all Under the Bridge and Knife Flight challenges.
Off the Plane (5 points) – GTA Online: Complete the Introduction.
Three-Bit Gangster (10 points) – GTA Online: Reach Rank 25.
Making Moves (30 points) – GTA Online: Reach Rank 50.
Above the Law (80 points) – GTA Online: Reach Rank 100.
Numero Uno (20 points) – GTA Online: Obtain first place in all competitive game types.
The Midnight Club (20 points) – GTA Online: Use custom vehicles to win 5 races.
Unnatural Selection (20 points) – GTA Online: Complete all 10 waves of a Survival.
Backseat Driver (10 points) – GTA Online: Direct a driver to 1st place as co-driver in Rally Mode.
Run Like The Wind (20 points) – GTA Online: Survive for a day with a Bounty on your head.
Clean Sweep (10 points) – GTA Online: Finish a Gang Attack without dying and kill at least 10 enemies.
Decorated (50 points) – GTA Online: Earn 30 Platinum Awards.
Stick Up Kid (10 points) – GTA Online: Hold up all 20 Stores.
Enjoy Your Stay (20 points) – GTA Online: Participate in everything Los Santos has to offer.
Crew Cut (5 points) – GTA Online: Complete a Job as a member of a Crew.
Full Refund (10 points) – GTA Online: Kill the thief that mugged you.
Dialling Digits (5 points) – GTA Online: Call for gang backup for the first time.
American Dream (10 points) – GTA Online: Own an Apartment, Garage and an Insured Vehicle.

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Grand Theft Auto V Official Gameplay Trailer Released, Footage is From the PS3 Version

Rockstar commented on the video posting on their website, adding that “this particular video was captured with footage from the PS3 version of the game.”

See the first official gameplay trailer for Grand Theft Auto V.

Grand Theft Auto V launches worldwide on September 17th.

 

Rockstar Comments on the $15 Price Tag of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

When the PlayStation Store updated, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas came to the PS2 Classics section. Priced at $15, it rings in at $5 more than any other PS2 Classic (including GTA III) on the PSN.

As you can imagine, some people were upset about this, prompting Rockstar to respond via the PS Blog:

Hey guys, we hear the feedback on the pricing and would like to point out that the price point on PlayStation Store is consistent with digital versions of San Andreas everywhere. We hope those of you who pick it up enjoy heading back to Grove Street.

Taking a look at Xbox Live, the game costs 1200 MSP ($15), with the Steam version running you $14.99, meaning that they were being honest when they said it lined up with the other digital versions of the game. It is worth noting that the Xbox 360 download came out in 2008, with the PC one in January 2011, and both have seen sales that put it under $10.

Until the PS2 Classic sees a sale though, you’ll have to spend $15 from your wallet and 4.2GB from your hard drive to play San Andreas on your PS3.

What do you think about the higher price? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: PSLS